A Florida teacher convicted of having sex with two of her students, was called a sexual predator today by a judge who sentenced her to 10 years in prison.
The 31-year-old female middle school teacher faces up to 10 years in prison.
Stephanie Ragusa, wearing an orange jumpsuit, cried at one point during her sentencing hearing, but nodded her head in approval as Circuit Judge Chet Tharpe also imposed five years of sexual offender probation on the 31-year-old defendant.
“You were a teacher,” Tharpe said. “And as parents, we place our trust in teachers to provide a safe environment in which our children can learn. You violated that trust in the worst imaginable way. You preyed on these young boys…”
The judge described Ragusa’s demeanor during her court appearances as arrogant. “You had a very lackadaisical attitude on your face, smiling, jovial,” Tharpe said. “If I had to sum up your attitude in one word, it would be arrogance. I don’t know as we stand here today that you truly appreciate the harm that you caused. I honestly believe, Ms. Ragusa, that you are a sexual predator. And I honestly believe that you are a danger to children in our community.”
via Teacher Stephanie Ragusa Sentenced to 10 Years for Sex With Students – ABC News.